Updated 6 March 2012
Money towards winter fuel bills
DWP has produced materials to help organisations understand the Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment for winter 2011/12.
30 March 2012 is the Winter Fuel Payment deadline
Completed claim forms must be received on or before 30 March 2012. Call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline now on 0845 9 15 15 15 or print a form from the Directgov website:
- Winter Fuel Payment (Directgov)
Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2011/12
Winter Fuel Payments are paid depending on people’s circumstances in a qualifying week. The qualifying week for winter 2011/12 is 19 to 25 September 2011.
For winter 2011/12 the amounts will be:
- up to £200 for households with someone born on or before 5 January 1951, and
- up to £300 for households with someone aged over 80 years.
Both men and women born on or before 5 January 1951 may qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2011/12. This date changes each year in line with the increase in women’s State Pension age.
Information about Winter Fuel Payments has been improved on Directgov. There’s now more information for both new and existing customers.
Video: Cold Weather and Winter Fuel Payments
You can now watch a short video on Directgov to help understand how Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments are different.
- Cold Weather and Winter Fuel Payments video (Directgov)
Cold Weather Payments can be triggered between 1 November 2011 to 31 March 2012.
Frequently asked questions
These tools will help you to advise people about Winter Fuel Payments, and other financial help to stay warm this winter.
They have been updated to reflect 2011/12 changes.
Two guides that answer common questions about Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payments:
